a lot of what has contributed to this shows success i feel is also the simplicity of it. from the locations where they shot, to the clothes they wore, to the props around them- it allows for this sense of relatability and mundaneness.
it does not take us through sets in hollywood lots, nor does it take us to fancy speakeasies in the backrooms of some exclusive club. it is hotel rooms and bathrooms and in a bed and sitting on a rock.
it does not don on for its characters gucci suits or valentino bags or dior shades. it is plaid shirts with shorts and plain t shirts
it doesnt make us travel with its cinematography through paintings by vincent van gogh nor does it introduce us to luxury opulence in their lives. its mustard and ketchup bottles that were tracked to ikea and tupperware storing the tuna melt ingredients and lamps that could have been thrifted.
they shot the series in locations which were so ordinary and seemingly fit right into your route to the gym or the bus stop. it was never anything special that made you feel out of touch or something that would never be in your reach.
And yes i might be cornplating, but i think that this decision was so crucial to the queerness of the show. it shows how normal it is, how everyday the actions are, how the tunnel used to go to the playground is where a man confessed his love to his lover in a language only he could understand.
because that is so important. we feel like we are there with them, we are them. and in so many ways we are.
queerness in media, at least the ones i have seen, is always shown as this internal structure with just a hazy background. we arent shown an importance in the specifics of the location or the places. we are given inner monologue and feelings.
while we see all of that and more in HR, we are also shown the backgrounds. looking under bathroom stalls, squirreling into hotel rooms, eating pasta on the dining room table.
it humanises the struggle by showing that queer people belong in this world. we are not isolated within ourselves. we are present everywhere, and we deserve our stories to be written on all the walls and all the skies.
it allows us to occupy space, to show us that our stories matter too. often our internal struggles continue as we go about in the outside world as normal.
and that i feel is what this show touches upon very beautifully.
